Between the last chapter and this Epilogue comes one of my short stories in this Universe, They'll Learn Much More (Than I'll Ever Know). I hope you enjoy - please let me know your thoughts!

Chapter 17 - Epilogue

Beca and Chloe were home for two weeks when most of the Bellas arrived to meet – or just visit – the new babies. They sat in the living room, listening to Amy's stories of adventure from New York.

Beca's eyes bugged as she watched Amy's careless hold on Bella. It took every bit of patience and decorum she'd ever possessed not to snatch her baby back from the Australian. Poppy was safe, snuggled into Stacie's arms and sleeping. Bella wasn't fussing yet, but her tiny face was pinched and she had to be uncomfortable with the way Amy was holding her. Her neck was not being properly supported. Beca's breath hitched when Amy's arm flailed while telling whatever story she was currently going on about. Her right hand completely left the baby, leaving the tiny child unsupported for a solid ten seconds.

"For God's sake, Amy," Aubrey said, interrupting her sharply. "Give that baby back to Beca before she has a stroke."

Amy looked surprised and glanced down at the baby. "Bhloe #2 is fine," she said, bouncing her slightly.

"You're not really holding her the right way," Beca said, no longer waiting. She was at Amy's side and taking Bella back. "And stop calling them that."

Amy shrugged. "Haven't killed a baby yet."

"That is an extremely low bar," Beca told her with an expression of horror. "And completely unacceptable when talking about my babies." She paused. "Babies in general, actually."

"You're going to make this raising a family thing very difficult, aren't you, shortstack?"

Beca scowled at her and carried Bella back over to the other side of the living room, cradling the infant against her. The little girl snuggled into Beca, burying her face against her mother's neck and relaxing. "She's not the problem," Stacie told Amy. "You were holding that baby like a football. They're a little young for that."

Amy shrugged. "Well, I still think you're coddling them. My first nanny was a dingo."

Beca rolled her eyes and – impossibly – clutched the baby closer. Emily returned from the kitchen and set a bottle of beer next to Beca. She reached for the baby and smiled with amusement as her long-time mentor drew away from her. "I promise I know how to hold her," Emily said. "And I won't let Amy have her." Reluctantly, Beca allowed Emily to have the little girl. She was relieved, though, when Emily simply sat next to her and settled in, holding the baby within Beca's reach.

Beca studied the beer bottle but didn't touch it. Stacie noticed and smiled. "Mitchell, you have enough breast milk in that freezer to last these babies until they hit solid food. Drink the beer."

"We did not need to know that," Ashley called from her spot by the fireplace.

"It's perfectly natural to breastfeed," Stacie shot back.

Beca shook her head. "No, it's not. It's gross. And if it weren't healthier for them, I wouldn't do it. It's uncomfortable and weird – and anytime I have to do it with someone else in the room, I want to die a little."

"You really are an incurable prude about some things," Stacie told her.

Beca shrugged. "I'm comfortable being a prude."

"We know," Amy said. "It took you like eight years to sleep with Chloe."

"Amy, we've only been together for three years."

"That's what you think," Amy said. "It took you a bit to catch on." Beca rolled her eyes. She remained with them for another hour, until Bella began fussing. Beca was having a difficult time keeping her eyes open anyway, so she excused herself, carefully carrying both babies up the stairs. She realized almost immediately that she wasn't alone.

"Why are you following me?" Beca asked Stacie.

"Because either you've been blushing since I arrived, or your blood pressure is up," Stacie told her. "How do you feel?"

Beca shrugged. She turned into the nursery and placed Poppy in the swing next to the glider. She sat in the glider and put her feet up, repositioning herself with Bella in her arms. "I'm fine," she said, as she unbuttoned her blouse far enough to allow her to position Bella where she could latch on.

"Headache?"

"Kind of. Not a bad one – but a nagging one for a couple of days, off and on." Stacie put the back of her hand to Beca's flushed cheeks.

"I'll be back in a minute." Beca nodded and watched her leave, only to groan when she saw Stacie walk back in with her medical bag. She closed the door to the hall and placed her bag on the changing table, removing her stethoscope and blood pressure cuff.

"I'm fine," she insisted.

"You probably are," Stacie agreed. "But what does it hurt to check and be sure?" She took Beca's blood pressure and pulse, raising eyebrows at her friend when she was not pleased with the results. The tall brunette dug through her bag and came up with a box. She studied it, opened it, and removed a small bottle of pills. She handed one of the small round pills to Beca and went to the master bathroom to get her a glass of water.

Beca took the pill without complaint. She settled back into the rocker, her eyes closing. "This is exhausting," she said, as Stacie took the chair next to her.

"I've been told as much," the other woman answered. "But you're doing a hell of a job, Mitchell. These babies are the best. And I've seen a lot of babies."

"They are pretty awesome," Beca agreed, her eyes fluttering open to gaze at Bella, then Poppy. They chatted while the babies were fed. Once they were both sleeping, Beca sank back into the chair.

"How rude would it be to not go back downstairs?"

"Not rude at all," Stacie told her. "You should be resting anyway. I would be happy to kick everyone out for you."

"You're the best," Beca said. "Well, Chloe's the best. But you're a close second." Stacie laughed. She leaned down to kiss both babies, then to hug Beca and drop a kiss on her cheek.

"You're doing good, mama. Call me if you need anything. Take those pills. Otherwise, I'll see you Sunday." Beca nodded.

Checking once more on both babies, she left them in their cribs and walked to her own bedroom. Jeans, shoes, and bra were gone quickly. She pulled on a pair of yoga pants and a comfortable t-shirt before climbing into bed. She wasn't yet sleeping when Chloe found her.

The redhead sat next to her on the bed and leaned down to kiss her. "Are you okay?"

"Just tired," Beca admitted. "Making babies is hard."

"You did a very good job at it," Chloe said, snuggling into her side. "Thank you, for that."

"I love you," Beca said.

"I love you too," Chloe said softly. She kissed her wife gently. "Now go to sleep." Beca needed absolutely no convincing. She was sleeping within minutes. Chloe spent the evening gazing in amazement at her daughters, still not quite over the awe of the situation.

Thank you for reading! Happy New Year!

If you'd like more one-shots from this universe, let me know what you'd like to see. There are a few already up under Interludes.